RELI498 - Theology of Popular Culture

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Academic Year 2002/2003

Theology of Popular Culture
RELI 498 FA

This course will explore various theological meanings that are carried in popular culture, and specifically in phenomena that are not ordinarily thought of as religious. After reading several "theologians of culture," we will examine contemporary novels, films, television, and tourism with the intent of developing ways to discern longings, anxieties, and visions of good and evil that operate below the surface of our common cultural life in the U.S.

MAJOR READINGS

Broughton Coburn, AAMA IN AMERICA
Douglas Coupland, LIFE AFTER GOD
Walter T. David, et al., WATCHING WHAT WE WATCH
Mircea Eliade, MYTH AND REALITY
John Haught, WHAT IS GOD? HOW TO THINK ABOUT THE DIVINE
Eric Mazur and Kate McCarthy, GOD IN THE DETAILS: AMERICAN RELIGION IN POPULAR CULTURE
Paul Tillich, DYNAMICS OF FAITH
James Twitchell, LEAD US INTO TEMPTATION

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two short papers. One reserach paper. One film review. Attendance and participation.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course fulfills a "Religion in Society" departmental requirement.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS RELI Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Cobb,Kelton A.

Times: ...W... 07:00PM-09:50PM; Location: BTFDA414

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 20)

SR. major: 3 Jr. major: 3

SR. non-major: 4 Jr. non-major: 4 SO: 4 FR: 2

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Ethical Reasoning, Writing

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-18-2003